Runaway Beach Resort by Magical Memories

I’ve stayed at Legacy Orlando twice, and it has only gotten worse. There are fewer staff than before, and now you see broken doors and damaged, poorly maintained facilities. On my first visit, there were lots of employees and the place felt welcoming and cared for. The way guests are treated was a big part of the problem this time. There was hostility, mistreatment, and passive-aggressive comments. Mabel, in particular, was rude, disrespectful, and unprofessional. The hotel smelled terrible, too, and felt neglected. My husband and I had planned this trip to mark an important date, but a string of uncomfortable situations spoiled it. I’d never written a negative review before, but I wish I hadn’t stayed here. I wouldn’t return, and I don’t recommend it. There are better options for less money with better staff. I understand now why there are so many complaints. Read reviews before booking and think twice about staying here.

The pools were the best part of our week in the Orlando area. They had a fun, relaxed feel, with music by the bar and grill that wasn’t too loud, plus a splash area for kids. There’s also a fitness center and game room, and the location made it easy to reach lots of Orlando attractions. Our condo was okay, though dated and nothing fancy. The furniture was in bad shape, and the kitchen had so few utensils that cooking was tricky. The master bath has an odd setup: a whirlpool tub with the shower mounted high on the wall, so you end up standing out in the open if you just want a shower. A walk-in shower or regular tub and shower would make more sense. Arrival details could be clearer. We weren’t told what to do with trash or what was expected at checkout, and the office had run out of maps when we arrived, making our unit harder to find. The internet worked fine without outages. There is a login password, though I suggest using a VPN. We were there about a week, and the stay was fine, mainly thanks to the amenities and location. It wasn’t a bad experience, but probably wouldn’t be our first choice next time.

The front desk service was great, and the hot tub and pool stayed open late. Our room did the job for a volleyball tournament, but the sofa bed was just a very thin, unusable pad. They wouldn’t offer extra padding and only sent a thin blanket to help, even though the bedding was replaceable. We were in Building F, right across from housekeeping and maintenance. Housekeeping took spaces meant for paying guests, leaving us to park around the building, which didn’t feel safe as a single parent with children. Then security kept driving around, hanging out and feeding stray cats, and asked guests to move if they parked too close to housekeeping, even though there were no signs saying not to park there. I wouldn’t stay at this resort again.

The smaller one-bedroom rooms are pretty much sardine cans. They’ll do if that’s what your budget allows, but if you need more space, book a two-bedroom unit. Those larger rooms have a stove, washer and dryer, and living room, with plenty of space for everyone. They’re standard middle-of-the-road timeshare rooms, not the kind of place for caviar and room service. Still, if you need towels or something, they get them to your room quickly. Whether this feels like a budget-friendly five-star stay depends on what you expect.